Just Eat customers urged not to deliver to scammers

Consumers are being made aware of a spate of messages encouraging people to enter personal details into a survey.

Published:12:54Monday 12 September 2016

Foodies and takeaway fans are being warned not to bite, with a new text and email scam targeting users of a popular online ordering website.

The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is making consumers aware of a spate of messages, some of which are personalised, encouraging people to enter login and personal details into a survey – on the promise of financial reward.

Gerry Grant, an ethical hacker with SBRC explains: “Just Eat have made it easier for people everywhere to quickly and conveniently browse takeaway menus and make orders.

“However, we are urging caution after a recent outbreak of fraudulent texts and emails have targeted users of the site.”

A blanket message, which may be personalised to each recipient, provides a link to a survey offering a ‘no-strings-attached’ monetary incentive, often of £10 or £20, just for filling it out.

Upon visiting the link, users are asked to enter login, bank account, credit or debit card information so that the scammers can gain access to members’ financial details.

From here the tricksters can exploit the details they have gathered for their own gain.

Gerry added: “There are three simple steps people can take if they are suspicious of unsolicited messages like these.

“Do not click the link, check the link’s URL to see if it is to trustworthy site and never put your bank details into any form that is not both for payment and completely trustworthy.

“There is no reason a survey should be asking for credit or debit card details, which is an immediate red flag, but it is also important to avoid clicking on these kind of sites in the first place, so users should be vigilant of the sites they are visiting.”

Often links will be shortened, disguising the URL, in which case there are a number of sites which can be utilised to double-check the destination. Sites like http://wheredoesthislinkgo.com/ can do this by simply copy and pasting the link into the search-bar on the website.

This advice comes shortly after SBRC announced record uptake for their Ethical Hackers scheme, headed by Gerry, which seeks to educate businesses and individuals on the dangers and pitfalls of running social media accounts.

Applications are also due to close tomorrow for the first awards to recognise Scotland’s ever-growing reputation as a world leader in the cyber industry.

The Scottish Cyber Awards will seek to showcase Scotland’s commitment towards cyber innovation and excellence and acknowledge the place Scotland has within this industry.

With cyber crime continuing to be massive concern in Scotland and costing an estimated £5bn every year, individuals, start-ups, local authority organisations and leading businesses in the burgeoning cyber industries sector are being urged to have their achievements to improve cyber resilience and the wider cyber industry honoured.

The categories in the awards, which is the first ever of this type of ceremony, have been organised by Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Business Resilience Centre – and include; Best Cyber Start-Up, Best New Cyber Talent, Cyber SME Defender of the Year, Outstanding Woman in Cyber & Leading Light Innovation Award.

To enter the awards, contact: cyber@sbrcentre.co.uk

To find out more about the work of the SBRC please visit http://www.sbcc.org.uk/